School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school. Riding in a school bus is safer than walking, riding a bicycle, or being driven to school in private vehicles.

Today's school buses are built with safety in mind. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children are protected in large school buses by compartmentalization, a passive occupant protection system. This provides a protective envelope consisting of strong, closely spaced seats that have energy-absorbing padded seat backs that help to distribute and reduce crash forces. Compartmentalization is most effective when occupants are fully seated within the bus seat. Seating should be provided that will allow each occupant to sit on a school bus seat without any part of his or her body extending into the aisle.

The majority of bus-related deaths and injuries involve pedestrians - mostly children - who are struck by a bus or injured when they are exiting the bus to cross traffic. Those who pass stopped school buses may be charged with civil infractions carrying a fine between $100 and $500. Violators may also be required to perform up to 100 hours of community service at a school.

School Bus Zone & Danger Zone
Anyone who can touch the bus with an outstretched arm is TOO CLOSE to the bus!

School bus safety tips for drivers:

• Prepare to stop when a slowing bus has its overhead yellow lights flashing
• Stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway
• Slow down in or near school and residential areas
• Look for clues-such as safety patrols, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds-that indicate children might be in the area
• Watch for children between parked cars and other objects

School buses are like traffic signals:

• When overhead lights are flashing yellow: Prepare to stop
• When overhead lights are flashing red: Stop
• When hazard warning lights are flashing: Proceed with caution

School bus safety tips for students:

• Always stay in sight of the bus driver
• Don't hurry off the bus; check traffic first
• Don't go back to the bus after exiting

Operation Safe Stop

Operation Safe Stop is conducted the third week of October during National School Bus Safety Week.  This enforcement initiative provides an opportunity to educate drivers on how to safely share the road with buses and provide safety to Michigan's students as they are loading and unloading at bus stops.

Related Links

Danger Zone Flyer

Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation

Michigan Department of Education

Michigan School Bus Inspection Program

Michigan Traffic Crash Facts

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration B-School Bus Safety

NHTSA's Best Practices Guide for Reducing the Illegal Passing of School Buses

National Safety Council

Safe Steps to the Bus Stop

School Bus Facts

Why Don't Buses Have Seat Belts?

School Bus Safety Videos
Don't Be This Driver

Stop Arm Safety

Motor Vehicle Network School Bus Video